Soccerslave Supports Boots For Africa Appeal

Posted on May 2, 2008
Filed Under General News

Soccerslave team duly supports this noble cause and urges all soccer fans to contribute in large numbers. The next time you think of throwing away your old sneakers just think of these kids playing in bare feet. The next time you find those shoes which no more fit your kids legs, do not throw them pass it on to the lovely kids in Africa. Remember your small contribution can make a lot of difference and bring a smile on someones face.

Providing opportunities for children and communities to have fun. It was on the back streets of a South African township where Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims dreamed of doing something to help change the face of football for those living in Africa.

Seeing Children playing the game in their bare feet on rubble strewn pavements left Richard asking what can be done to help. It was obvious to him those kicking a ball to each other shared the same passion and love millions of more fortunate fans around the globe have for the sport. This was where the ‘Boots for Africa’ appeal was born.

Your support, however large or small, can make a real difference. Our donated boots will be the first ever pair worn by those children and will offer a generation of young people affected by poverty, poor health and lack of opportunity a new sense of hope, pride and ambition for themselves and for their country.

Newcastle United legend and former England striker Les Ferdinand has launched Boots for Africa - a unique campaign to raise 50,000 pairs of football boots to deprived children in South Africa.

Ferdinand, who scored five goals in 17 appearances for his country, began the campaign with scores of youngsters attending a soccer fun camp at the Complete Football Centre in Gosforth.

Boots for Africa has been devised by Sheffield FC - the world’s first football club - with the aim of gaining support from schools and junior clubs from across the North East and Yorkshire.

Ferdinand said: “I’m delighted to support the Boots for Africa campaign. The appeal is a brilliant way for children in the UK to share the game of football with the children of Africa.

“I’m very happy to be getting involved in what I think is a really worthwhile charity. I have experienced the inspiration and sense of achievement that football can bring and this campaign is helping to give the same opportunity to children in Africa.

“Sharing football boots is such a simple but effective way of improving the quality of football for these children.

“I wish Boots for Africa the best of luck in delivering as many pairs of football boots as possible.”

The campaign plans to deliver thousands of cleaned-up football boots and help make the game more accessible to young people in South Africa ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Junior clubs and members of the public can donate their wearable boots of any size to the campaign by making a £2 donation to receive their boots pack.

Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims added: “Africa will be staging the World Cup in 2010 for the first time in the competition’s history and we felt this gave an opportunity for everyone to make a difference to the future of the game.

“Sheffield FC and indeed England is seen as where the game truly began. We want to use this standing to again sow the seeds for the next generation of players and ultimately create a knock-on affect for the World Cup.

“These boots may be the children’s first ever pair and each will offer a generation of young people a new sense of hope, pride and ambition.

“We hope junior clubs, schools and members of the public across the North East and Yorkshire will support this unique campaign and help us achieve our target of raising more than 50,000 pairs of boots.”

Boots for Africa has already received support from the English Football Association, FIFA, the African Football Confederation, the South African Sports Trust and the South African High Commission. Drogba Donating His Boots

McDonald’s are also founding partners of Boots for Africa, helping to increase awareness of the unique campaign. Steve Easterbrook, President and Chief Executive of McDonald’s UK says: “The Boots for Africa appeal is a fantastic initiative and McDonald’s is delighted to be teaming up with Sheffield FC to add real value to what is a great cause.”

For teams or clubs wanting to donate more than one pair of boots, a special group donation pack has been produced to assist them.

For more information about how to donate to Boots for Africa, please email info@bootsforafrica.org or phone 0191 222 0440.